Diaphragm inserter and remover



y 1948. c. c. WATERBURY DIAPHRAGM INSERTER AND REMOVER Filed June 22, 1945 INVENTOR. 621-2 6 Wk 239715;; BY

Patented May 25, 1948 DIAPHRAGM INSERTER AND REMOVER Carl C. Waterbury, Chicago, 111., assignor to- Diaphragm & Chemical Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 22, 1945, Serial No. 600,935

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for inserting an expansible article through a small neck into a cavity where the article is to remain. More particularly, this inventlonis directed to an inserter device of the type for facilitating the introduction and temporary placement of a flexible diaphragm into the vaginal canal in position to cover the mouth of the uterus.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel device of the character indicated,,which may be easily and conveniently used to initially hold a diaphragm in proper position thereon preparatory to introduction into the vaginal canal, and which is adapted to readily disengage the diaphragm therefrom in a proper position in the canal.

Another object is to provide an improved device of'the character indicated, which is composed of two telescopically and removably as-, sociated parts which may be conveniently cleansed or sterilized.

A further. object is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, comprising two telescopically associated parts constructed and arranged with cooperating means for engaging diametrically opposite marginal portions of a flexible diaphragm for holding it in a stretched position preparatory to placement in the vaginal canal, and wherein the resiliency of the diaphragm is utilized in its stretched condition to yieldingly retain said parts in operative relation. Still another object is to provide an improved device of the character indicated which is of simple construction and lends itself to relatively economical manufacture, and is capable of being efiiciently used for the intended purpose either by physicians, nurses or unskilled persons.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view .of the device embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is a view, part in section and part in elevation, and showing a diaphragm supported thereon in operative stretched condition;

Figures 4 and 5 are transverse sectional views through the device, taken substantially as indicatedat line 44 and 55, respectively, on Figure 3;

[Figure 6 is an elevational view of the movable sleeve oi the device, having a plurality .of detents; and I Figure -7 is a cross. sectionalview through a conventional form of diaphragm in its normal condition.

The device embodying the present invention is composed of only two main separable parts, namely, an elongated body member indicated generally at [0, and a tubular sleeve member ll. These parts may be made out of any suitable material such as metal or plastic, and because of their construction may, as will hereinafter appear, be quickly and easily separated so as to be conveniently cleansed and/ or sterilized.

The body member ID includes a cylindrical shank portion l4, connected at one end to a downwardly tapering head I5 which is of generally flattened cross section, as may be clearly seen in the drawing. The outer end of the head terminates in a pair of outwardly diverging prongs l6 and I1, forming a generally V-shaped socket or seat l8, into which may be seated the marginal portion .of a flexible diaphragm, indicated at 20. The opposite end of. the head terminates in a transverse shoulder 22 which is adapted to serve as a stop for the tubular member I I when the latter is telescopically mounted on the shank [4. The shape of the head l5 and its relation to the shank M are such as to afiord maximum convenience in using the device in a manner so as to preclude the possibility of injury to'the delicate tissues.

The tubular member II is provided with an aligned series of upwardly extending projections or detents 24. c When a marginal portion of the diaphragm is seated in thesocket I8 of the head, the diametrically opposite marginal portion of said diaphragm may be seated selectively behind one of the detents 24 for anchoring the diaphragm in a proper stretched position on the device, as may be seen in the drawing. Extending laterally and rearwardly from the tubular member II is a lug or finger piece 26 for rotating the tubular member to disengage the detent from the diaphragm, as hereinafter described. It will be observed that the operative or rear face of each of the detents is curved-transversely so as to provide substantially a line contact when engaged by the marginal portion of the diaphragm, and thus reduce to a minimum the frictional resistance present and which must be overcome in disengaging the detent from the diaphragm.

The purpose of the plurality of detents is to accommodate various sizes of diaphragms. Such diaphragms are usually covered with an antiseptic jelly or lubricant which would normally render them' difiicult to handle in the proper placement of the diaphragm. In use the diaginal portion is then seated selectively in back of one of the detents 24 of the tubular member l'l. It is preferable, in the application of the diaphragm to the device, that it, be first stretched in oblate form, as seen. in the drawing, and then anchored in back of the nearest aligned detent,

a head portion, a shoulder-on the body at'the' 5 ed on said shank and removable from the extended end thereof, said sleeve being shorter than said shank and rotatable 360 thereon and a detent on said sleeve extending; radially there from, said detent extending a substantial porso as to maintain the diaphragm in stretched\ 1 0 tion of the circumferential extent of said sleeve,

formation. By virtue'of this arrangement the resiliency of the diaphragm 'servesto yielding-1iv'l"' retain the tubular member. ll in. abutting engagement with the shoulder 22, Qf-the head. a

When the device has been inserted; with the;

diaphragm thereon, into the vaginal canal, in

the proper position, the finger piece 01*:lugj2fiiii may be engaged to rotate the tubular..memher. H to a position as seenin dot and dash outline" in Figures 3 and 5 for efiecting disengagement of the particular detent 24- with respect to themarginal portion of the diaphragm 20 so asto-permitthe diaphragm to-bel released and remain in the-vaginal canal ma proper position. Due-to the 'construction; of the device it" is possible, by grasping the outer end of theshank l4, to-h0ld the entering end of the-diaphragm behind the cervix while the diaphragm is being disengaged, so astobecertain of'placement of the diaphragm exactly where desired; It will be apparent that in the use: of the devicetherewill beno possibility of a part of the device becomingdisconnected and left in the vaginaltract. v s

The hook shapedprongs. l-B- and/or H, at the outer end-of the head, may lie-utilized to facilitatethe removal of; the-diaphragm from the vagina, in a well-understoodma'nner. a

-' It isto be understood that the diaphragm as illustrated in the drawings and as indicated by the ref rence numeral-"zlifisof a conventional for-m, 'made' of; relatively thin,- flexible, resilient material such as latex, and is usually formed at itsm'arginal edge with a resilient member. such as a relatively small coil spring, indicated at 20c, or-said resilientf membenma'ybe m the form of -a rubber'cord or ring which tends to main tairi the diaphragm in proper form; but permits deformation, such asbystret'ching, when: mounted on the inserter device.

r Although I; have herein shownand described a preferred; embodiment of? my; inventionf manifestly it is capable 'of' modification. and lreara rangem'ent of parts without departing from the spirit and; scope thereof. I' doano't', therefore,

diaphragm for {holding it stretched; and thereby V yieldingly holding the sleeve-in abutting engagement with the shoulder, and means:v extending laterally-and rearwardly from said sleeve for rotating it; and-- the detent fordisengaging the diaphragm therefrom.

2,. In n intr ducer; the{combinationo?anelongated body includinga cylindrical shank and and said detent having a convex surface facing toward the'exten ded end of said shank.

3. In an.. introduc.er, the combination of an I 7 elongated body'inclnding a cylindrical shank and 15 a headport on; a shoulderon the body at the junction of the head and shank, the extended 'efndro'fv 'saldyhead having means for seating a marginaleportion of a diaphragm, a sleeve mounted onsaid shank andremovable from the extended end thereof, said sleeve 'being shorter than Sa-id-shan-k and: rotatable 360 thereon; and V a? pluralityl ef deten'ts on: said 'sl'eeve spaced axi any? thereai'ong and extending radially: therefrom, each-oi said detents extending a: substantial portions ofl the cireumferential extent' o'f aid sleeve, andte'achi of saidi'detents having a c vex surfacev facing toward 'theextnde d end of said shank. f .1 lf fii 4. In an introducen. the combination or an 0 elongated body includin a cylindrical shank" and a head portiong a shouliglen onthfe bod yiat" the junction of, the head and. shank, the extended end of." said?"heai having means forseating-a1 marginal'portionlof aiidiaphragniqasleeve mount; ed on; said; shank and removable from the ex tended end thereof, saidsleeve heme shorter than. said shank and" rotatable 36d thereon, a'

detent on said sleeve jextendingzradijally there from, said detent extending aT substantiali per: tion or the" circumferential: extent of: said: sleeve and said detent having a convex surface-"facin junction. of: thhead'. andzshanki. asieev meuated on said: shanki'a'nd removable fronr'theieiw tended end;: thereof; saidrsleevesxbeingfshbnter 5 than; said; shank andirotatable'afill thereon, and

a. detent,on saidjsIeeve-extending radially from, said: detent ext-ending? a1? substantial 1101: tion of theicircumferentialextent on said. sleeve, and: said: detent havingza convex surface facing towardrthe extended endaof saidfshankz V nnrnanncnsferimm gioiww n .rier iesi r 6 i eq di j smea -j mat s f 

